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If you’re still carting a boom box out to the deck so you can flip burgers to music, it’s time to consider the advantages of built-in outdoor audio. Just think of how nice it would be to enjoy high-fidelity sound anywhere on your property.Today’s rugged, all-weather sound systems are easier than ever to incorporate into your landscape, whether it’s a couple of box-type speakers mounted on the outside of the house, or cleverly disguised versions hidden in planters at poolside....

One of the best ways to get peace of mind when you’re away from home is by investing in a home security system. Whether you want to monitor the cameras yourself or pay for professional monitoring, you’ll feel safe knowing that your home is under surveillance. There’s a wide range of home security systems available in Indianapolis. To help you find the one that fits you and your home, the This Old House Reviews Team has evaluated the best home security systems on key metrics like equipment and cost....

While some historical paint palettes replicate those from the past, others are more inspired by them. But just because they have historical relevance, don’t assume they’re dull; consider the saturated shades used in colonial homes, the Victorian era’s deep jewel tones, and the Art Deco period’s vivid pastels. As Sue Wadden, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams, puts it: “In these tumultuous times, we’re all craving a little comfort,­­ and historical hues give us a wonderful sense of familiarity and tradition....

You’ll no longer have to stand outside with a hose in your hand to water your lawn with an automatic sprinkler system. Better yet, if you set it up properly, you’ll be able to distribute the water evenly and ensure the best care for your grass. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time In this video, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook walks us through how to install an in-ground irrigation system....

Need a quick and simple project to boost your home’s curb appeal? A fresh coat of paint—especially high-gloss paint—can give your front door a big facelift. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps for Painting a High-Gloss Front Door Remove the door from the hinges and remove the hardware. Sand the door down to bare wood using 80 grit sandpaper. Prime the door using an exterior grade oil-based primer. Allow the door to dry overnight before adding the next coat....

Steps for Starting an Organic Garden: Every material used in an organic garden needs to be certified organic. Planters can be made out of cedar or ceramic. The soil must be organic as well. If you’re not using a planter, you’ll need to dig out a hole and remove the soil in the ground to replace it with organic soil. Seedlings and seed packets also need to have a certified organic label....

New homeowners Michael and Kassiane plan to restore it and preserve as much of it as they can. The design will replicate the exterior architectural details, such as the curved shingles and the “rising sun” patterned clapboards, as well as improve the foundation and footings, fix and expand the deteriorating porch, and replace the rotting roof. Take a look at the work done so far, and be sure to watch new episodes every Thursday on PBS....

Best Value: ZonLi Weighted Cooling Blanket This cooling blanket contains glass beads within small quilted squares to create a weighted feel. Surrounding the beads are layers of temperature-controlled cotton and microfiber. Though the blanket isn’t machine-washable, you can purchase a compatible duvet cover that is. Key Features 60 by 80 inches 20 pounds Cotton and microfiber fabrics and glass beads What Customers Are Saying Most customers—even hot sleepers—complimented the temperature-regulating property of this blanket....

Look through these selections, and you’ll see we’re finally comfortable recommending product categories that until now were more sci-fi promise than everyday practical—a mini projector powerful enough to turn any blank wall into an impromptu movie screen; a robot vacuum that really simplifies housekeeping; and sensible ways to keep everything charged, from your family’s phones to an electric car. 1. ROBOVAC 11S MAX Eufy Robo vacuums won’t fluff the couch cushions or deal with serious messes, but they’re getting good at basic dust patrol of floors and carpets....

Chances are you don’t think much about your gutters until it’s time to clean them. When they become clogged with leaves, sticks, and other debris, rainwater can overflow out from your gutters and pool on your roof, potentially causing expensive damage. Additionally, the gutters and downspouts themselves may become damaged to the point of replacement, which can be incredibly expensive. Cleaning out your gutters yourself is messy and potentially dangerous if you don’t have the right tools and safety equipment....

Steps for Choosing and Using a Paint Roller: Mauro explains that paint roller brushes are measured by their nap length, which determines coverage and texture. a. Shorter naps, around ¼-inch length, are good for smooth surfaces because they can cover the surface in paint without applying too much texture. b. Medium length naps, around 3/8-inch length, are good for semi-rough surfaces because the slightly longer fibers can push paint into the dips in the surface, allowing for full coverage, but aren’t so long that they add additional texture to the surface....

While most people regularly clean their shower walls and floor, there’s an essential part of every shower that typically gets overlooked: the shower head. But this is one part of the shower that can certainly benefit from some attention. Think about it: Water comes through the shower head every day, sometimes several times a day, which can lead to the buildup of mineral deposits commonly found in water, such as calcium and magnesium....

If you have a chimney, it will need cleaning—that’s a fact. But when and how often do you have to clean your chimney? The answer depends on a number of factors, including how often it’s used, what kind of fuel you’re burning, and even what material your flue is made from. Why Clean the Chimney? The biggest concern is chimney fires, which occur when creosote build-up that condenses inside chimneys from wood smoke catches fire....

Unfortunately, a door’s weather seals, if it has any at all, can rip, compress, bend, or wear out over time, leaving chilly winter air free to enter (or expensive air-conditioned air to leave). Fortunately, attaching new weather seals is a straightforward exercise, far cheaper and faster than installing a new door. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time How Much Does It Cost to Seal a Door? It costs approximately $100 for materials and labor to seal a door....

Wood paneling used only to be seen in decades-old TV reruns, forgotten basement hangouts, and rustic cabins. But the wall feature is making a resurgence these days, popping up in many savvy designers’ on-trend renovations. This renewed appreciation for a retro building material may leave many homeowners wondering if wood paneling is right for their rooms and aesthetic, and how best to pull it off in an updated way. Let’s take a deep dive into modern wood wall paneling including all the different designs and types out there to discover what’ll work for you....

This article appeared in the Summer 2021 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. 1. Cuts and digs HoriHori Garden Tool This updated version of a traditional Japanese gardening knife has a forked, 7-inch stainless-steel blade for planting bulbs, slicing roots, and shearing stems. Finely honed on one edge, with sharp serrations on the other, the blade is embedded in a soft-grip polymer handle with an ergonomic profile....

This article appeared in the Nov/Dec 2020 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. More time at home has meant more deliveries, and fuller households have led to fuller recycling bins, increasing the confusion about what exactly goes in them. What to do with all the plastic bags? Do bottle caps stay on? What if there’s a bit of peanut butter left in the jar?...

Our Rating Methodology The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparent reviews and having the data to back up our ratings and recommendations. Our rating system for solar companies is on a 100-point scale based on five factors: Payment options (40 points): Options include purchase, loan, lease, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Companies receive points for each of those four options it provides....

Ceilings have the potential to make or break a room, and it’s smart to include ceiling design features in any remodel or new build. The vast space above your head provides an opportunity to shape the contours of the room or make them fade into the background. Sound-deadening materials, flush-mounted light fixtures, circulating fans, reflective lighting, wood paneling, coving, tiles (tin or acoustic), exposed beams, vaulted architectural details, and dead-flat paint are all possible ceiling treatments depending on the layout and structure of your home....

Want to save these ideas for later? Create your own holiday gift list to share gift ideas with family and friends. Hallmark Keepsake Christmas Ornament 2021 Shop Now This keepsake ornament can be displayed on a Christmas tree for years to come. It features a house-shaped shadow box with three charms hanging inside of it. It is made of porcelain and comes pre-packaged for easy gift giving. SEQUENCE Original Sequence Game A game night is a fun way to relax after the stress of moving....